diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index 89016d7d47..dba302b745 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -1966,6 +1966,8 @@
 
 # Cargo/Rust.
     AC_ARG_ENABLE([rust], AS_HELP_STRING([--enable-rust], [Enable Experimental Rust support]))
+    AC_ARG_ENABLE([rust_experimental], AS_HELP_STRING([--enable-rust-experimental], [Enable support for experimental Rus parsers]))
+
 
     rust_vendor_comment="# "
     have_rust_vendor="no"
@@ -2019,6 +2021,7 @@
     fi
 
     AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_RUST], [test "x$enable_rust" = "xyes"])
+    AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_RUST_EXTERNAL], [test "x$enable_rust_experimental" = "xyes"])
     AC_SUBST(rust_vendor_comment)
     AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_RUST_VENDOR], [test "x$have_rust_vendor" = "xyes"])
 
@@ -2029,6 +2032,10 @@
         echo "       for building the distribution"
         echo "   To install: cargo install cargo-vendor"
       fi
+
+      if test "x$enable_rust_experimental" = "xyes"; then
+          AC_DEFINE([HAVE_RUST_EXTERNAL],[1],[Enable support for experimental Rust parsers])
+      fi
     fi
     AM_CONDITIONAL([HAVE_CARGO_VENDOR], [test "x$HAVE_CARGO_VENDOR" != "xno"])
 
@@ -2144,6 +2151,7 @@ SURICATA_BUILD_CONF="Suricata Configuration:
   Libnet support:                          ${enable_libnet}
 
   Rust support (experimental):             ${enable_rust}
+  Experimental Rust parsers:               ${enable_rust_experimental}
 
   Suricatasc install:                      ${enable_python}
 
diff --git a/rust/Makefile.am b/rust/Makefile.am
index 5a7d1215b6..73c6d2a0d9 100644
--- a/rust/Makefile.am
+++ b/rust/Makefile.am
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ if HAVE_LUA
 FEATURES +=	lua
 endif
 
+if HAVE_RUST_EXTERNAL
+FEATURES +=	experimental
+endif
+
 all-local:
 if HAVE_PYTHON
 	cd $(top_srcdir)/rust && \